Policy Tracker - Keeping track of what happened in the world of education in February 2014

February 27, 2014

An action-packed month with five themes emerging.

First, making do, very much what FE and HE now have to do following their latest funding settlements. Second, continuing system reform with both the skills system and the schools system under scrutiny. Third, accountability, with new measures under development everywhere. Fourth, assessment, the subject of further reports. And fifth, the economy: are we there yet? Not according to the Chancellor.

Key headlines from the month

Tests for 4/5 yr olds. Government said to be contemplating

Assessment. NAHT Commission calls for retention of levels

Assessment Innovation Fund. Bidders wait to hear if they have been successful or not

Character. Different views emerge about how to develop this in school

Primary school sport. Government extends funding pledge for further five years

Maths. The Education Minister acquaints herself with the Shanghai method

Progress 8. Final methodology due before end of term

IT. Government announce new funds to support the Year of Code

Geography. Introduction of new A level put back a year

College of Teaching. Moves a step nearer as blueprint published

Teaching Assistants. Add value according to Education Endowment Foundation Research

Maths. New Recruitment Incentive scheme announced for FE maths teachers

School hols. Schools get chance to determine under Deregulation Bill proposals

Academies. Calls for inspections of chains grow as one chain is unhitched

Youth unemployment. Down 48,000 to 917,000 in latest stats

FE funding. Funding eligibility tightened in latest Funding Statement

FE. The ETF launches its new Expert (advisory) Panels

HE funding. Allocations confirmed at end of March following Grant Letter

HE Access. Russell Group launches new ‘visit a uni’ scheme for 13/14 yr olds

Up to the Job. The Think Tank Demos points to the economic and employment returns that can accrue from increasing the number of apprenticeships

Speeches of the month

Michael Gove’s 3 February London Academy speech calls for state schools to replicate some of the best ‘proven’ practices of independent schools as part of continuing reforms

Ed Miliband’s 10 February Hugo Young Lecture proposes granting parents new call-in powers over schools as part of a new people-driven culture for public services

Elizabeth Truss’s 13 February Resolution Foundation speech highlights the changes being made to the quality of childcare and support for working parents

Tristram Hunt’s 13 February ‘Schooling for the Future’ speech calls for no surrender on standards and the teaching of ‘character’ as part of a more balanced curriculum

George Osborne’s 20 February Hong Kong speech reminds us that there are still more reasons to be careful than cheerful when it comes to the economy

Chris Leslie’s 25 February SMF speech sets out five principles intended to guide Labour’s Zero-Based Review of public expenditure

Nick Clegg’s 27 Feb ‘better choices, better prospects’ speech promises new careers guidance for schools, new local course directories for young people and JCP help for 16/17 yr olds

Quotes of the month

“I want to deliver a budget which ensures that around the world, wherever you are, you can’t help but see ’Made in Britain.’ That’s the budget I’m going to deliver.” The Chancellor makes his plans clear about his forthcoming Budget

“But we don’t have confidence in those figures. We think that the value of student loans never to be repaid could be even higher.” The Public Accounts Committee goes for the jugular

“Qualifications will be removed from public funding where there is little or no demand or where the qualifications cannot be shown to be responding to a clear business need.” The latest Skills Funding statement spells out the new funding rules

“I appreciate that since I became Education Secretary I have been asking a great deal, a very great deal of those who work in our schools.” The Education Secretary comes to praise

“Our requests are reasonable and could yet halt the stark decline in teacher morale which is so damaging to teacher recruitment and retention.” The NUT sees things differently as it prepares to strike

Word or phrase of the month

‘Generation C.’ The new connected young citizens according to the thinktank Demos

Policy Watches are intended to help colleagues keep up to date with national developments. Information is correct at the time of writing and is offered in good faith. No liability is accepted for decisions made on the basis of information given.